Makati cops nab drug-crazed hostage taker

MANILA, Philippines - Police arrested a drug-crazed man after taking hostage a man inside a house in Makati City on Monday morning.

Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban, Makati City police chief, said he received a call around 7:40 a.m. about a man who barged into a house along Durango Street that was being used as an office by the Sta. Ana Builders Inc., an electrical contracting company.

Lukban said the suspect, identified as Ariel Ruelo, 31, of San Joaquin, Mandaluyong City, intended to rob the office when he was discovered by its caretaker, Jomar Villanueva.

Immediately, Lukban said, the suspect grabbed Villanueva and dragged him to the office's second floor.

Lukban, who arrived at the scene with members of the Makati Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, initially negotiated with Ruelo for the release of Villanueva.

It was during the negotiation that Villanueva was able to free himself from Ruelo's grip and run out of the house through an adjoining conference room.

"The suspect did not notice the unlocked door leading to the conference room. The victim rushed towards the door and locked it behind him," said Lukban.

Once the victim was safely out of the house, Lukban demanded that the suspect surrender to the police.

"There was no answer so I ordered the SWAT team to storm the house," said Lukban.

Lukban said the SWAT team found Ruelo, who was described to be about 5'7" tall, hiding inside a cabinet.

When searched, Ruelo yielded P2,000 taken from the office, a sachet of marijuana and a sachet of suspected shabu.

Ruelo, now detained at the Makati Police headquarters. is facing charges of robbery, threat, alarm and scandal and illegal possession of drugs.

Lukban said they are now searching the house for the suspect's weapon, reportedly a knife which he threw out when the police were about to enter.

He said that prior to the hostage-taking, Ruelo admitted having spent the night at a drug session somewhere in Makati and was out looking for a house to rob.